How good is the striking partnership of Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi at Fiorentina? Potentially explosive, writes Anthony Alborino.

It’s no secret that EmilianoMondonico is a Fiorentina supporter. But when he hailed the strike pairing of Giuseppe Rossi and Mario Gomez, you got the feeling he was talking with his head just as much as with his heart.

“Fiorentina did really well on the transfer market,” the 66-year-old tactician commented. “Gomez may not end up as the Capocannoniere, but the Gomez-Rossi partnership is the best matched in the whole championship. I’m sure that they will be the most prolific pairing by the time the season ends.”

The capture of the German international has re-ignited dreams in Florence, those of a return to the glory days of Gabriel Batistuta and Manuel Rui Costa. His arrival means they now posses a frightening attacking threat which has the potential to take Italy and Europe by storm.

Having pulled off a remarkable feat in signing the mercurial Rossi for a cut-price €10m in January, the long-anticipated departure of StevanJovetic was a mere footnote at the start of a busy summer transfer window as the Viola beat off a host of top European clubs to land the coveted Gomez.

Generally considered to be one of the world's best in his role, he is a German striker of Spanish origin with proven European and international pedigree, coming into his prime years at the age of 28. Managing an impressive 75 goals in 115 games in his time at Bayern Munich, and touching down after the hugely successful treble winning season with his former club for an initial €15.5m, this is a player who is used to success and he will expect nothing less with his new employers.

Gomez, a pure finisher, is a player who generally relies solely on service from his more creative teammates, one unable to take a prominent part in build up play or create chances for himself. This should not be an issue, however, when we consider the amount of attacking and creative talent at the disposal of his new club.

He will have the offensive wing play of Joaquin and Juan Cuadrado, players who can take advantage of the imposing German's aerial ability with good deliveries into the area, and from the midfield more assists are sure to arrive from the hugely talented Borja Valero, the born-again Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro. He may have had his struggles in his early Viola displays, but his brace against Genoa in Week 2 bodes well.

Rossi, on the other hand, was in many ways much more of a gamble. Although an Italian international familiar with Serie A after a spell at Parma, he joined the club after 18 months of inactivity following double knee surgery. Pre-season form and three goals in the club’s opening two Serie A games has seen Fiorentina vindicated in their decision to sign him. He is a player who will be hungry to get back to his best and will have a point to prove – especially with World Cup 2014 now on the horizon.

It does, however, remain to be seen if Rossi will return to be the player of old, much like Alessandro Del Piero who suffered similar physical misfortune with Juventus in 1998. New Jersey born Rossi plays in a similar role to that of Pinturicchio, and will be expected to provide the guile and creativity, supplying the towering German with assists as well as chipping in with more than a few goals himself.

The Rossi-Gomez partnership is reminiscent of the formidable Del Piero-DavidTrezeguet enterprise which terroriseddefences up and down the country after the turn of the century. It is also a partnership which will have Viola fans dreaming of Europe and, possibly within the next few seasons, the Scudetto. And that would certainly be met with the approval of Mondonico…

@ maverick: maybe because Schweinsteiger said "it's either him or me"? There is a gossip going around in Munich that MarioG apparently had a relationship with SarahB, Schweini's fiancee.

on the 20th September, 2013 at 5:30pm

7Stelle d'Oro

I honestly don't care too much about Gomez, but I am looking very much forward to the Rossi-Balotelli strike partnership at next year's WC. Even better if supported by Insigne and Candreva on the wings. Immagine a 3-5-1-1 with

@eric star fury : Judging from Gomez's performances so far, he is definitely past his best. Bayern would never sell him if he were still at his peak, and definitely not for just 16m. Think logically.

on the 15th September, 2013 at 2:11pm

eric star fury

I can't believe some people absurdity gomez isn't past his best far from it and bayern aren't masters of the universe they can make mistakes hell they signed pizzaro to a extended contract and he looks slower than luca toni. In addition I wish some people would put they club tribalism behind them and think logically, In any case i just look forward to seeing all the exciting striking options this season

on the 15th September, 2013 at 12:33pm

maverick

Gomez is past his peak (why else would Bayern let him go) and Rossi is very injury prone. The real deadly duo is Higuain-Callejon at Napoli.

on the 15th September, 2013 at 6:03am

Anonymous

Mustaafaaa your an idiot to say Gomez is a decent striker, he is world class which is something Juve don't have. Rossi and Gomez are doing a great job and I hoped they destroy Juventus next! Juve's strength is its midfield that's it

on the 14th September, 2013 at 9:01pm

Viktor

@mustagafa

You're wrong as always.

on the 14th September, 2013 at 7:08pm

Mustaafaaa

@ Dul

Dude, please read my post clearly and understand what I said.

First, I didn't say that they are a piece of nonsense, I said comparing them to Delpiero and Trezegol is.

Secondly, when I said Pepe, I meant Pepe Rossi. Got me ?

Third, Vucinic-Tevez are devastating and you will see that as time goes on.

Fourth, Rossi is a world class and I'm still bitter 3 or 4 years ago when Villareal refused to release him for Juve.

Fifth, don't make me hate you :)

on the 14th September, 2013 at 2:12pm

Dul

As usual from my friend Mustafa.Always Juve-ism comment.Not a Viola fan but to saying Gomez and Rossi is a piece of non-sense is absolutely ridiculous.How can you make that assumption without watching them play this season?(except you're a fortune teller)If Gomez-Rossi is a piece of non-sense then how should I call Juve duo of Tevez-Vucinic(sorry I don't say Llorente because in my opinion he'll get Bidone d'Oro by the end of December.Oh I know Pepe,he's a player who played just 22min last season

on the 14th September, 2013 at 10:02am

Mustaafaaa

Gomez is a decent striker and nothing more, and it's a fact that he's got more muscle than brain. No comment about Pepe as we all know who he is. I just hope he can recover his form and get back to La Nazionale. However, Comparing them to Alex-Trezeguet, that's just a piece of nonsense.

on the 14th September, 2013 at 1:18am

Anonymous

As a serie a follower from holland I think Napoli has by far the best attack in serie A and the got very much to offer upfront more then viola. insigne is getting better and better, higuainworld class, pandev unpredictable and hamsik world class behind them

on the 14th September, 2013 at 1:11am

eric star fury

i suppose we could see a synergy between the two players they certainly have their own unique qualities along with plenty of goals. My concern however beyond the first team they are fairly weak in terms of alternatives which will be exposed a little bit more this season due to the europa league. I would be interested to see if montella is able to get something out of the likes of vargas fernandez this season to make up the numbers in team.

on the 13th September, 2013 at 10:30pm

Me

Also, Gomez's movement is incredibly underrated. He's a terror on the lines. You don't have to be a blazer to excel there. And he has dominant qualities.

on the 13th September, 2013 at 8:29pm

Me

Rossi is much more similar to Raul than he is to Del Piero. He is, in broad terms, a striker. All-in-all a CF, if we want to get into details. Del Piero was an out and out SS. Rossi is never going to be the dribbler Del Piero was.

The only mistake made by Fiorentina is Illic. If you wanna buy him, then offload the superior talent that is Mathias Fernandez. Money wasted.

And this team would have smart to make the random move for Scott Parker or another box-to-box DM. They need a stronger spine.

on the 13th September, 2013 at 8:30pm

Ernesto

All the Viola fans hope this pair will fly at high levels and prove they're a better couple than the Jovetic/Ljajic pair.. for the good of the team and the rising season.

on the 13th September, 2013 at 7:48pm

Viktor

Way too early to tell

on the 13th September, 2013 at 5:30pm

Pinturicchio07

"The Rossi-Gomez partnership is reminiscent of the formidable Del Piero-David Trezeguet enterprise"

Even as a Juventus fan, I do agree that Rossi-Gomez will be the highlight of this Serie A, but it's too presumptuous and totally preposterous to compare them to the great Ale10-Tre17 partnership.... C'mon Football-Italia, surely you can stop pandering and making outlandish claims and actually publish a good read once in a while, right ??

on the 13th September, 2013 at 5:03pm

Al

I remember about a few months back there was a blog about the soon to be return of Pepito Rossi and I said if he finds his old form and can stay healthy the sky's the limit for him because he is a great talent especially with a solid side like Fiorentina he fits perfectly into there system it's proven 3 goals so far. can't wait till he is back with the azzurri which should be soon because we need him he is the striker we have been missing. Balo and rossi together can do great things and Insigne.

on the 13th September, 2013 at 4:55pm

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